Estamiting and Costing

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Data required for estimating
have with him the following data:
In order to prepare a detailed estimate the estimator must
1. Plans, sections, elevations and other relevant details of the work.
2. Specifications indicating the exact nature and class of materials to be used.
• General Specification
• Detailed Specification
3. The rates at which the different items of work are carried out.
For preparing the estimate the unit rate of each item of work are required. Unit rates of each item is
derived from:
• The rates of various materials to be used in the construction.

• The cost of transport materials.
• The cost of labor.
4. Updated mode of measurement (deductions, additions, etc.)
5. Standing circulars (insurance, taxes, etc.)
To enable an estimator to take out the quantities accurately, the drawings must themselves be clear, true
to the fact and scale, complete, and fully dimensioned. The estimator has also to bear in mind certain
principles of taking out quantities.
ESTIMATE
INPUTS
Units of Measurements
The methods and units of measurements for civil construction works are mainly categorized for their
nature, shape and size and for making payments to the contractor. The principle of units of
measurements normally consists the following:
a) Piece works or Single units work like doors, windows, trusses etc., are expressed in numbers.
b) L�ng and thin works like cornice, fencing, hand rail, bands of specified width etc., are expressed in
running metres (RM) and linear measurement shall be taken.
. ess etc., and
. wash'rng, partitions of specified thickn
c) Shallow, thin and surface works like plastering, white be taken to
of length, breadth or height can
are expressed in square meters (m ). The measurement
2
compute surface area.

te, Masonry etc are expressed in
d) Mass' Voluminous and thick works like earth work, cement concre pute cubic
.
an d h •
e1g ht or d epth can be take n to com
Cubic metres. The measurement of length, breadth
content or volume.
based
Table below shows units of measurement of various items of civil engineering works
on IS 1200.
SI. Units of Units of
Particulars of item measurement payment
No.
1 Earthwork
1. Earthwork in excavation CUM Per CUM
2. Earthwork in filling in foundation trenches CUM Per CUM
3. Earth work in filling in plinth CUM Per CUM
4. surface dressing SQM Per SQM
2 Concrete
1. Lime concrete in foundation CUM Per CUM
2. Cement concrete in lintels CUM Per CUM
3. RCC in slab CUM Per CUM
4. Cement concrete or RCC in chajja, sunshade CUM Per CUM
5. Lean concrete in roof terracing (thickness specified) SQM Per SQM
6. Cement concrete bed CUM Per CUM
7. Reinforced concrete sunshade (specified width and height) CUM Per CUM
8. Plain Cement Concrete in foundation CUM Per CUM
3 Damp proof course (DPC) - thickness mentioned SQM Per SQM
4 Brick work
1. Brickwork in foundation CUM Per CUM
2. Brickwork in plinth CUM Per CUM
3. Brickwork in super structure CUM Per CUM
4. Thin partition walls SQM Per SQM
5. Brickwork in arches CUM Per SQM
6. Reinforced brickwork CUM Per CUM
7. Brickwork in flat soling SQM Per SQM
5 Stone work
1. Stone masonry CUM Per CUM
6 Wood work
1. Doors and windows frames or chaukhats, rafters, beams CUM Per CUM
2. Shutters of doors and windows (thickness specified) SQM Per SQM
3. Doors and windows fittings (like hinges, tower bolts, sliding

bolts, handles) Each Per Each
4. wooden formwork SQM Per SQM
5. Wooden false ceilings SQM Per SQM
7 Steel work
1. Steel reinforcement bars etc. in RCC and reinforced brick

work Quintal Per Quint
2. Bending, binding of steel reinforcement Quintal Per quint,
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4. Rivets, bolts and nuts, anchor bolts, Lewis bplts, holding Quintal Per quint;
down bolts
kg Per kg
5. Iron grills
8 Roofing
CUM Per CUM

1. RCC and RB slab roof {excluding steel)
2. Lean concrete roof over and inclusive of tiles or brick or SQM Per SQM
stone slab etc. (thickness specified)
3. Centering and shuttering formwork SQM Per SQM
4. AC sheet roofing SQM Per SQM
5. C.G.I sheet on ridge, valley, gutter RM Per RM
6. Water proof treatment on roof, water tank SQM Per SQM
9 Plastering, pointing and finishing
1. Plastering - cement or lime mortar {thickness and

SQM Per SQM
proportion specified) in wall and ceiling
2. Pointing SQM Per SQM
3. White washing, color washing, cement washing, (number of

coats specified) SQM Per SQM
4. Distempering (number of coats specified) SQM Per SQM
5. Painting, varnishing (number of coats specified) SQM Per SQM
10 Flooring
1. 25mm cement concrete over 75mm lime concrete floor

(including lean concrete) SQM Per SQM
2. 25mm or 40mm cement concrete floor SQM Per SQM
,
3. Doors and window sills (CC or cement mortar plain) SQM Per SQM
4. Sand filling CUM Per CUM
5. Marble flooring SQM Per SQM
6. TIie flooring SQM Per SQM
11 Rain water pipe/ plain pipe RM Per RM
12 Steel wooden truss Each Per each
13 Glass panels (supply) SQM Per SQM
14 Fixing of glass panels or cleaning Each Per Each

�
15 Cement Skirting M Per M d
16 Plaster of Paris (P.O.P) SQM Per SQM /J
Note:
o SQM= Square meter
o CUM= Cubic meter
o RM = Running meter
Principles of deciding Unit of Measurement
A beginner may find it difficult to remember the units of measurement of different items. Memorizing of
units of measurement would be greatly simplified if he knows the principles kept in view while selecting
the units of measurements. Following are the most important principles of selection of unit of
measurement:
1. The unit of measurement should be simple and convenient to measure, record and understand.
2. It should be one, which provides for fair payment for the work involved.
3. In the result it should yield quantities, which are neither too minute nor too large.
4. The price per unit should not be a very small figure or a very large one, that is, generally costlier items
will be measured in smaller units, cheaper ones in larger units.
5. The unit of measurement may sometimes depend upon the unit for the raw material and/or labor
and/or important dimensions.
Estimating and Costing
Chapter 3: Types of Estimate
Definitions:
Plinth area: It is the built up covered area measured at floor level of the basement or of any story
of building.
Floor area: It is the plinth area less area of walls.
Carpet area: It is the floor area less corridor, passage, veranda, entrance hall, porch, staircase,
bathroom, kitchen, pantry, store canteen, machine room.
Circulation area: A certain amount of free area is required for movement and access to different
room, sitting room, kitchen, bath, for those who use the building is known as circulation area. It is
mainly of two types.
Horizontal circulation area (veranda, balconies, passages, corridors, porch).
Vertical circulation area (Staircase, lift).
FAR (floor area ratio):
FAR is used as a measure of the intensity of the site being developed. The ratio is generated by
dividing building area by plot area in same units.
Thus a FAR of 3.0 would indicate that the total floor area of a building is three times the gross
area of the plot on which it is constructed as would be found in multiple storey building.
If the ratio is 0.10 that means that only one tenth of the plot will be building constructed on it.
1. Approximate Estimate
The approximate estimate is done in order to find out an approximate cost in very short time before
starting the project. The estimation is made before selecting the final specification and design of
the project. Depending on this estimate, the material approving authority grants administrative
approval once the proper scrutiny is done. This method is also known as preliminary or rough
estimate.
It is prepared in a) feasibility study of the project
b) Administrative approval (budget estimate)
Purpose of Approximate Estimate:

1. To evaluate the cost of a project in short time.
2. To evaluate the difference between several options.
3. To check the final cost of the project that is calculated by detailed estimation.
4. To give the owner a reasonably accurate idea of the cost to help him decide whether the work
can be undertaken as proposed or needs to be curtailed or abandoned, depending upon the
availability of funds and prospective direct and indirect benefits.
5. To determine what materials and in what quantities will be required for the work so that the
arrangements to procure them can be made.
6. To determine the number and kind of workers of different categories who will have to be
employed to complete the work in the specified time.
7. To determine amount and kind of equipment needed to complete the work.
Methods of Approximate Estimate:
A. Square Meter or Plinth Area Method:
The estimate prepared on the plinth area basis of the building by using suitable plinth area rates is
called the plinth area estimate. The area of the building at the plinth level, by taking the external
dimensions is worked out and is multiplied by suitable rate per sq m. The cost thus arrived at is
the cost of building based on plinth area. The plinth area rates for different types of buildings are
different i.e., the rates for residential buildings are less than the rates for the hospital buildings etc.
Plinth area estimate is also a rough cost estimate. This estimation is done by selecting the price of
1 square meter area of a building. It is mainly adopted for calculating the cost of following
buildings:
Office Buildings, Residential Buildings, School Buildings, Apartment/Flat Buildings, Hospitals.
This method is considered as the best method for calculating the cost of new buildings.
The plinth area is the built up area or external dimensions of a building. The area of the court yard
etc. should be excluded from it.
Plinth area= carpet area+ circulation area+ wall and column area
Cost of building= total plinth area* prevailing plinth area rate per sqm.
The plinth area estimate is supported with the following: - Report, Line Plan of building, Detailed
Specifications, Line Plan of the building for which the plinth area rate is determined.
B. Cubic Rate or Cubic Meter Method:
The cube method is based on the cubic content of a building. Cost per cubic meter is specific for
building project. This method aims to overcome the criticism of floor area method that does not
take into account possible variations of the storey height. The total cost of the project will be given
by:
Estimate= volume * Unit cost (cost /m3)
The volume of the floor is determined as
Volume = Area × Height of one floor
The height of one floor is found out by the following guidelines:
1. Ground Floor: The height of ground floor is calculated from the top of the footing to the middle
of the parapet.
2. First Floor: The height of the first floor is calculated from the ground rooftop to the middle of
the parapet.
3. Other Floors: The height of other floors are calculated from floor to floor.
Advantages of Cube Method Estimating
Quick method
Simple math process
Easy to understand
Satisfactory on works of a recurring nature.
Suitable where cubic content of a space or a building directly influences the cost of an
element.
Disadvantages of Cube Method Estimating
Need higher levels of skill to assess unit rate
Do not express the actual cost of different parts of the building
Due to large number of variables, difficult to adjust unit cost
tion about amount of usable space
Fails to take account of variations in plan, shape, storey height/ total number of storeys etc.
C. Unit rate Estimate
In this method, all costs of a unit quantity such as per km for a highway, per meter of span for a
bridge, per classroom for school building etc. are considered first and the estimate is prepared by
multiplying the cost per corresponding unit by the number of unit in the structure.
D. Item Rate Estimate
This is more accurate method and most used as well. In this method, the quantities of each item
are calculated at first and the cost of these items is abstracted in the second stage.
2. Detailed Estimate
After obtaining the administrative approval of the concerned department against the rough cost
estimate, the detailed estimate is prepared by P.W.D. department. As this estimate is based on the
plans and sections of the building so it is the most accurate estimate. The quantities of items under
various sub heads of work are calculated from the drawings and cost of each item is worked out
separately according to the prevalent market rates and is totaled. After doing the total of all items
a percentage of 5 to 10 is added for unforeseen items, change of design and provision of petty-
establishment and a percentage of about 2 is provided for work charged establishment. Grand total
so obtained gives the estimated cost of building. This estimate is then submitted to the competent
authority for according technical sanction. The competent authority may be Chief Engineer or
Superintending Engineer of the P.W.D. department. The detailed estimate is accompanied by
report, design and scope, detailed drawings, detailed specifications, justification of the rates
provided and the limit for execution of the work. The work is executed according to the detailed
estimate.
3. Revised Estimate
When the cost of the estimate exceeds or likely to increase by 5% or more, a revised estimate is
required to be prepared. It is accompanied by the comparative statement showing the variations of
each item of work and giving the reasons of excess. The excess may be due to change of design
and scope of variation in rates etc.
Sample of comparative statement of estimate
Original Estimate Revised Estimate Remarks

Item Description Qty. Unit Rate Amount Qty. Unit Rate Amount
No of work
1 E/W in 29.5 m3 410.0 27.1 m3 520.0
excavation
in
foundation
2 Brick on 29.5 m2 650.0 29.5 m2 780.0
flat soling
4. Supplementary Estimate
When some addition to the original work is made, a fresh detailed estimate for the additional work
is prepared to supplement the original estimate and thus called supplementary estimate. This
estimate is in addition to the original estimate. This estimate is prepared during construction due
to additional work to be carried out at site.
Example: Additional partition can be planned in the building. The estimate is prepared for
partitioning as supplementary estimate. Structural / architectural changes are prerequisite for
supplementary estimate.
5. Annual Repair of Annual Maintenance Estimate
This estimate is prepared to carry out annual repairs or maintenance. The amount of annual repair
estimate should not exceed more than 1.5% of the capital cost of the work. Annual repair are much
common in road work for which annual repair estimates are prepared to carry out the work.
Example: White washing, Color washing, Painting of doors and windows etc.
6. Extension and Improvement Estimate
When some changes and extensions are required to be made in the old work, the cost of which
cannot be met by the annual repair/maintenance estimate, a detailed estimate is prepared for such
work which is called as Extension and Improvement estimate.
7. Complete Estimate
This is an estimated cost of all items which are related to the work in addition to the main contract
or to the detailed estimate.
Complete estimate:
a) Total cost of land
b) Total cost of building or any other infrastructure : This includes cost of preliminary works,
feasibility study, preliminary design, drawings, cost of preparing detailed design, drawings,
estimate, specification, contract documents, cost of electrical installation, water supply, sanitation
works, supervision costs, cost of temporary accommodation during construction, cost of external
services, cost of maintenance and repairs during construction and all the other cost incurred during
design as well as construction of related work.
Complete Estimate
General Split up of cost of building works
1. Cost of materials = 65 to 70% of whole cost

2. Cost of labour = 30 to 35% of whole cost
3. Cost of foundation and plinth = 10 to 15% of whole cost
Break down of cost of building work
1. E/W in excavation and filling = 1 to 1.5 % of whole cost

2. Cost of concrete in foundation = 5 to 6 % of whole cost
3. Cost of DPC = 1 to 1.5 % of whole cost
4. Cost of Brick work = 30 to 34 % of whole cost
5. Cost of Roofing = 18 to 20 % of whole cost
6. Cost of Flooring = 5 to 6 % of whole cost
7. Cost of Wood work = 16 to 20 % of whole cost
8. Cost of Plaster and Pointing = 10 to 12 % of whole cost
9. Cost of Painting = 3 to 5 % of whole cost
10. Cost of Miscellaneous works = 4 to 6 % of whole cost
Break down of cost of Road work
1. E/W in embankment/cutting = 14 % of whole cost

2. Soling coat with stone including consolidation = 44 % of whole cost
3. Wearing coat with bitumen including consolidation = 22 % of whole cost
4. Other items = 20 % of whole cost
Estimating and Costing
Chapter 4: Rate Analysis
The method of determining the rate of an item of work considering the cost of materials, cost of
At various stages in the project management, we need to know
how much is cost of executing unit amount of the work

how many equipment or labour are required to execute unit amount of an item of work.
Obtaining the cost of unit amount of an item is called rate analysis. To obtain the rate of an item,
generally following cost are considered.
cost of material
cost of labour
overhead cost
profit
The costs of these components are determined from the area survey, schedule of rates published
by central and state government; transportation charges based on the location of the area. Also, we
need to know how much is required for execution of the work. Similarly, number of labour and
equipment. Not only specification is important for obtaining the cost of the work, but one has also
to include quality mentioned during construction we shall discuss this pointing detail through case
study.
a. Cost of material To obtain the cost of material in the unit amount of an item, first
specification is studied carefully. Quantity of material required is calculated and multiplied
by the cost to obtain the unit cost. Cost includes freight, transportation, sales tax, insurance,
as well as profit. An estimator has to do his market survey and the area survey before
calculating the unit cost of the material.
b. Cost of labour Productivity of the labour is very important aspect in calculation of labour
cost. Productivity of the labour depends upon the type of work, training imparted to the
laborer, nature of work, time schedule of the work, etc. For example, a mason can do more
plastering standing on the floor than working at a height on the scaffolding. Initially, it
takes time to learn the work and gradually productivity increases.
For specific works, different types of , such as skilled and unskilled labour, mason,
carpenter, mazdoor, etc. are required to execute the work. Unit amount of work is obtained
based on experience; and their cost is obtained from the local survey or government wage rules.
c. Cost of equipment - Calculation of work-hour used for equipment is dependent upon the
type of equipment utility. Some are used for specific purpose where as some
of it are used for different work simultaneously. Generally, equipment used individually is
calculated for each item of work. For these , it is not possible to calculate the
cost; the equipment charge can be added as overhead. For example, installation of a
batching plant requires special effort and it is not easy to distribute its initial cost on the
concreting. We can incorporate such kind of work as establishment charges or overhead.
d. Overhead cost During the period of construction, a company has to maintain an office or
depreciation of its may take place. This is usually taken as 2-5% of unit rate.
Part of the overhead is directly related to the construction of an item of work. Such expenses
include:
i. Repair and depreciation of tool and plants

ii. Salaries of supervisors, etc.; who are indirectly involved in the work
iii. Temporary go down and sheds to store the material at the site
iv. Lighting arrangements
v. Labour welfare
vi. Safety scheme
vii. Small tools used for work
Such expenses are incurred only when work is under execution. If there is no work, no expense is
required.
Other parts of overhead are permanent in nature. These expenses are throughout the year. These
expenses include
i. Salaries of office staff,

ii. Printing and stationary charges,
iii. Electricity and rental charges,
iv. Communication expenses such as telephone, e-mail, etc.,
v. Traveling, etc.
In bigger companies, these expenses are higher compared to smaller contractors.
Purposes of Rate Analysis
1. To determine the actual cost of per unit of the items at the locality.
2. To revise the schedule of rates.
3. To workout the cost of extra items of work.
4. To workout the economical use of materials.
5. to examine the viability of tender rates.
6. To fix up labour contract rates.
Importance of Rate Analysis
Rate analysis gives the clear picture of various materials, laboureres, tools and plants etc. required
for completing a particular work.
Requirements of Rate Analysis:
Following are the main requirements for performing rate analysis.
1. Correct information of the market rates of materials.

2. Correct information of the different categories of labors.
3. Up to date knowledge of construction work.
4. Output of labors. i.e. task or out turn per day for various types of labors.
5. Knowledge, rate of out turn of various types of plants to be used in in the
construction work.
Factors affecting the rate analysis:
1.Specification of the civil work and materials such as quality of materials, proportion of mortar
or concrete, thickness of plastering, number of coats of painting, depth of excavation, type of soil
etc.
2.Location of the construction site Distance of construction site from source of materials,
availability of labors, availability of water, machinery etc. influence the rate analysis of
construction work. Transportation facilities available as well as transportation charges and
condition of road to the site of work also influences the rate analysis.
3.Quantity of materials, number of different types of labors and rates of materials and labors
influence the rate analysis.
4.Profit of the contractor, miscellaneous expenses and other overheads also influence the rate
analysis.
5.Proper management and guidance.
6.Experience of workers and amenities provided to them.
Government Procedure of Preparing Rate Analysis
A) Total cost of materials = Rs. X

B) Total cost of Labour= Rs. Y
C) Hire charges of tools and plants (including cost of fuel) = Rs. Z
Total = Rs. (X+Y+Z) = say Rs. k
D) k= Rs. 0.15 k
E) Unit rate of an item= Rs. 1.15 k.

Estamiting and Costing

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• The rates of various materials to be used in the construction.

compute surface area.

1. Earthwork in excavation CUM Per CUM

2. Earthwork in filling in foundation trenches CUM Per CUM

3. Earth work in filling in plinth CUM Per CUM

4. surface dressing SQM Per SQM

1. Lime concrete in foundation CUM Per CUM

2. Cement concrete in lintels CUM Per CUM

3. RCC in slab CUM Per CUM

4. Cement concrete or RCC in chajja, sunshade CUM Per CUM

5. Lean concrete in roof terracing (thickness specified) SQM Per SQM

6. Cement concrete bed CUM Per CUM

8. Plain Cement Concrete in foundation CUM Per CUM

3 Damp proof course (DPC) - thickness mentioned SQM Per SQM

1. Brickwork in foundation CUM Per CUM

2. Brickwork in plinth CUM Per CUM

3. Brickwork in super structure CUM Per CUM

4. Thin partition walls SQM Per SQM

5. Brickwork in arches CUM Per SQM

6. Reinforced brickwork CUM Per CUM

7. Brickwork in flat soling SQM Per SQM

1. Stone masonry CUM Per CUM

2. Shutters of doors and windows (thickness specified) SQM Per SQM

3. Doors and windows fittings (like hinges, tower bolts, sliding

4. wooden formwork SQM Per SQM

5. Wooden false ceilings SQM Per SQM

1. Steel reinforcement bars etc. in RCC and reinforced brick

2. Bending, binding of steel reinforcement Quintal Per quint,

CUM Per CUM

3. Centering and shuttering formwork SQM Per SQM

4. AC sheet roofing SQM Per SQM

5. C.G.I sheet on ridge, valley, gutter RM Per RM

6. Water proof treatment on roof, water tank SQM Per SQM

9 Plastering, pointing and finishing

1. Plastering - cement or lime mortar {thickness and

2. Pointing SQM Per SQM

3. White washing, color washing, cement washing, (number of

4. Distempering (number of coats specified) SQM Per SQM

5. Painting, varnishing (number of coats specified) SQM Per SQM

1. 25mm cement concrete over 75mm lime concrete floor

2. 25mm or 40mm cement concrete floor SQM Per SQM

4. Sand filling CUM Per CUM

5. Marble flooring SQM Per SQM

6. TIie flooring SQM Per SQM

11 Rain water pipe/ plain pipe RM Per RM

12 Steel wooden truss Each Per each

13 Glass panels (supply) SQM Per SQM

14 Fixing of glass panels or cleaning Each Per Each

15 Cement Skirting M Per M d

16 Plaster of Paris (P.O.P) SQM Per SQM /J

Purpose of Approximate Estimate:

Sample of comparative statement of estimate

Original Estimate Revised Estimate Remarks

5. Annual Repair of Annual Maintenance Estimate

6. Extension and Improvement Estimate

a) Total cost of land

General Split up of cost of building works

1. Cost of materials = 65 to 70% of whole cost

1. E/W in excavation and filling = 1 to 1.5 % of whole cost

Break down of cost of Road work

1. E/W in embankment/cutting = 14 % of whole cost

Chapter 4: Rate Analysis